Important Tests during pregnancy help check the baby's growth and health, as well as the mother's well-being.
Pregnant Women who step into the third trimester of pregnancy should undergo the Iron Profile Test. This iron blood test is very helpful to healthcare providers as it estimates the iron level in your blood.
Iron is the most important mineral to make hemoglobin in the body. Also, responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to all body parts. The normal range of iron levels in the body helps maintain good health.
United States people get enough iron from their diet foods. Some may suffer from iron deficiency and consume doctors-prescribed iron supplements or multivitamin/mineral supplements.
Also Check: 4 Placental Disorders During Pregnancy
Iron Profile Blood Test supports doctors in finding anemia, thalassemia, and internal bleeding in pregnant women. Hence, the test of serum iron profile is essential during pregnancy. For more information on this iron profile blood test in pregnancy, move down & continue your read.
- Overview of Iron Profile Blood Test During Pregnancy
- What Is Iron Profile Test?
- Why Iron Profile Test Is Done?
- Why Do I Need An Iron Blood Test?
- Preparation For Serum Iron Profile Test | Is fasting required for an iron profile test?
- Procedure Of Iron Blood Test In Pregnancy
- Iron Profile Test Results
- Iron Profile Test Price
- Diet Food For Curing Iron Deficiency
- FAQs on Serum Iron Profile Pregnancy Test
Overview of Iron Profile Blood Test During Pregnancy
| Other Names | Serum iron profile test, S. Iron profile test. |
| Purpose | Diagnosis of Anemia, Thalassemia, and Internal bleeding. |
| Preparation | Avoid consuming Iron Supplements & Medication |
| Fasting | Fasting 12 hours before the test. |
| Reporting time | 8 to 24 hours |
| Cost | Differ from lab to lab |
Scroll down the page and learn every single piece of information about the Iron Profile Test in Pregnancy.
What Is Iron Profile Test?
The iron profile test is a normal blood test that estimates various bounds related to iron metabolism in the body. It can also be known as the Serum iron profile test and S. Iron profile test.
The iron blood tests included in the iron profile test are the Serum iron test, Ferritin blood test, Transferritin test, UIBC, and TIBC tests. These iron markers identify iron deficiency or excess and the body's ability to store and utilize iron efficiently.
Types of Tests Included | Serum Iron Profile Test List
Iron Profile Test includes the collection of various multiple iron-related tests or iron markers or components that measure the iron content in the body and results accurately. Take a look at the below explanation for a better understanding:
Serum Iron: Determines the concentration of iron included in the bloodstream and can find both abnormally low or high levels of iron. Low iron levels mean dietary iron insufficiency, while high levels may suggest extreme iron consumption.
Unsaturated Iron-Binding Capacity (UIBC): Measures the transferrin amount that is not carrying iron and assists healthcare providers in evaluating the body's iron levels.
Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC): Estimates the body's ability to transport iron. The main iron-carrying protein, transferrin, is assessed in this test to find out the blood proteins' capacity to bind iron. High TIBC levels may indicate an iron deficiency as the body attempts to increase its iron-binding capacity to compensate.
Transferrin Saturation (TS): Calculated by comparing the amount of iron in the blood with the total iron-binding capacity. TS is a more reliable indicator of iron status than measuring iron or TIBC alone. Low transferrin saturation indicates iron deficiency.
Ferritin: Counts the amount of a protein called ferritin in your blood. Ferritin holds iron in your body. When it is low, indicating that your body doesn't have enough iron, leads to anemia. If it is high, your body may be storing too much iron.
Why Iron Profile Test Is Done?
The purpose of the iron profile test is simply to determine the following:
- Amount of iron level in the body without the iron in red blood cells.
- An iron value that binds with the protein.
The recommendation of iron profile tests for pregnant women by doctors is common and part of routine blood profile tests such as blood transfusion and blood cancer.
Why Do I Need An Iron Blood Test?
The iron blood test needs to be done when you face any of the symptoms like following when you have too low or too high levels of iron in the body. Check the symptoms and done with the regular iron test for early treatment.
- Symptoms of lower iron levels are fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness, and arrhythmia.
- Symptoms of higher iron levels are weakness or fatigue, abdominal pain, changes in skin color like bronze, gray, and metallic, joint pain in knees or hands, and loss of interest in sex or erectile dysfunction (ED).
Preparation For Serum Iron Profile Test | Is fasting required for an iron profile test?
There are no great preparation tasks for pregnant women who are taking the iron profile test apart from the one mandatory preparation. The only preparation you have to do is fast for 12 hours before the test procedure and intake the water during the whole fasting period.
You should even avoid iron supplements for 24 hours before the test. Other medicines like antibiotics, birth control pills, blood pressure drugs, etc. may show an impact on the iron profile test results so it's better to check with your doctor and avoid them too.
Procedure Of Iron Blood Test In Pregnancy
The procedure of the iron profile test starts with the collection of blood samples from the patient at home, clinic, or diagnostic center. You can feel relaxed during the process as it is the same as the normal blood tests during pregnancy.
The step-wise explanation of the iron profile test procedure is as follows:
- First, a blood sample is taken via vein puncture by a lab technician, junior doctors, or sisters.
- The blood sample will be sent for a test in this step.
- Next, you can leave the hospital or center and wait for the results.
- Finally, it is a risk-free procedure that helps find the iron levels in the body.
Iron Profile Test Results
When it comes to the detailed iron profile test report, gives the result as an iron level value in your body. Before knowing what happens whether the iron levels are lower or higher, let's see what is the normal value range of the iron profile test:
| Test | Result | Unit |
| Serum Iron | 65 – 177 | ug/dL |
| Ferritin | 22-322 | ng/mL |
| TIBC (Total Iron binding capacity) | 250-425 | ug/dL |
| Transferrin Saturation | 20 – 50% | Percentage |
What Indicates Lower Levels of Iron Markers?
If the report of the iron profile test says the level of one or more iron markers is low, then it indicates the following:
Iron Deficiency: The other name for this condition is anemia, a disorder of having lower levels of Iron (Fe).
Bleeding in the digestive tract: It causes a big loss of bleeding from the stomach, liver, and pancreas organs.
Thalassemia: This condition is a genetic disorder that includes the lower percent of hemoglobin or Red blood cells in the body.
Insufficient iron in the diet: Having low-quality food in daily life causes iron deficiency.
What Indicates Higher Levels of Iron Markers?
When the iron profile test results give one or more iron markers are high then the following causes will be seen.
Hemochromatosis: It is a rare hereditary disorder indicated by raised iron absorption in the body, directing to high iron levels.
Inflammation in the liver is marked by a sense of burning in the liver and could cause bleeding from the affected area.
Lead poisoning shows the presence of toxic levels of lead in the bloodstream.
Frequent blood transfusions can result in raised iron levels in the blood due to the transfer of iron from the donor's blood to the recipient.
Iron Profile Test Price
The price of iron studies tests differs from one place to another and also it depends on various factors. As per our research, the approximate cost of iron profile test ranges from $8 to $131.
City-Wise Iron Profile Test Cost in India
Here is the detailed table that reveals popular city-wise iron test prices:
| Popular Cities | Price Range |
| Iron profile test cost in Delhi | Rs 400 to Rs 800 |
| Iron profile test cost in Hyderabad | Rs 350 to Rs 800 |
| Iron profile test cost in Chandigarh | Rs 200 to Rs 450 |
| Iron profile test cost in Mumbai | Rs 200 to Rs 800 |
| Iron profile test cost in Chennai | Rs 450 to Rs 800 |
| Iron profile test cost in Kolkata | Rs 450 to Rs 500 |
| Iron profile test cost in Bangalore | Rs 250 to Rs 450 |
| Iron profile test cost in Bangladesh | Rs 400 to Rs 1200 |
| Iron profile test cost in Gurgaon | Rs 200 to Rs 900 |
Diet Food For Curing Iron Deficiency
Iron deficiency occurs when the patient's body lacks good iron-rich foods in the diet. To maintain the normal range of iron levels in the human body, let's follow & try to consume the foods mentioned below:
Fruits: Avocados, Apples, and mulberry fruits are rich in iron and help to ensure good health.
Green and Leafy Vegetables: Having green and leafy vegetables such as spinach, and broccoli controls iron deficiency and leads to normal iron levels in the human body.
Nuts: Some of the iron-rich nuts like cashews, almonds, and even cereals-based bread can be beneficial to increase the iron levels in the body.
FAQs on Serum Iron Profile Pregnancy Test
1. What are the foods that decrease Iron Absorption in the body?
To decrease iron absorption in the human body, foods like proteins are helpful. Some protein foods such as Casein, Soy protein, egg whites, whey, etc. treat Hemochromatosis.
2. What are the foods that increase Iron Absorption in Humans?
Foods that contain iron and help the absorption of iron in humans are meat, fish, grains, vegetables, and fortified foods. Especially foods rich in Vitamin C, A, and beta-carotene can also work well with human bodies.
3. Can I book an Iron profile test online?
Yes, you can book an Iron profile test online and perform the test at home easily.
4. How to perform an iron profile test at home?
Here are the simple steps to follow while testing the iron levels at home:
- Simply, book an iron profile test kit online or grab it from a local pharmacy.
- Read the instructions written on the test kit.
- Make use of the given testing materials to perform a finger prick.
- Next, collect a blood sample and secure it tightly.
- Send the blood sample to a laboratory and wait for the results.
5. Which color test bottle is used in the Iron profile test?
The preferred iron profile test tube color is yellowish-green.
Conclusion
Early detection and starting treatment for iron deficiency is essential during pregnancy as it leads to complicated delivery and baby development. Scheduling for the Iron profile test helps handle the damage at the right time.
To start a healthy pregnancy journey, let’s break the silence and take iron blood tests during pregnancy. For more blood tests, pregnancy screenings, and pregnancy week-by-week tests, visit our site @Soumyhospitals.com regularly and spread awareness of pregnancy tests and screenings.